Printing system and control method for printing system

ABSTRACT

In a case where a first identifier that is communicated between the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus in order to specify a type of a printing medium that is used in the printing apparatus, and a second identifier unique to each of a plurality of types of printing media are set in both the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus, the second identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is obtained. Based on the second identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, the first identifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is determined, such that the types of printing medium corresponding to the first identifier set in the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus match, and a different first identifier is set regarding a printing medium of a different type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing system including a printingapparatus that performs printing in accordance with a printinginstruction from an information processing apparatus, and a controlmethod for the printing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are cases where a printing apparatus supports many types of media(recording media) such as glossy paper and plain paper. In such cases,an image processing table that is required for image processing andcontrol information for the printing apparatus may differ for eachmedium.

In view of this, print processing onto a medium that is desired by auser can be appropriately performed by setting an identifier accordingto each type of medium and identifying the type of medium to be used forprinting. As a method for assigning an identifier to each medium type,Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-300362 discloses that a paperidentification number is assigned to paper set in a printer. Further,Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-349150 discloses that an identifier isassigned to a paper cassette.

If identifiers are set according to types of media as with thetechnology disclosed in the above documents, identifiers are set byfirmware in the printing apparatus, and identifiers are set by a printerdriver in the information processing apparatus, thereby enablingmanagement of the types of media in each of the apparatuses.

However, in the case of a printing system where an informationprocessing apparatus and a printing apparatus are connected, it isnecessary to commonly manage medium types in the information processingapparatus and the printing apparatus. For example, an identifier “1” isassigned to a certain medium type, and an identifier “2” is assigned toanother medium type in the information processing apparatus and theprinting apparatus. Accordingly, in the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus, these medium types can be distinguished byachieving consistency of the medium types corresponding to theidentifiers. Consequently, printing can be performed in the state wherethe medium type to which image processing executed in the informationprocessing apparatus corresponds has consistency with the medium type towhich print control executed in the printing apparatus corresponds, forexample.

Here, consider a printing system including a plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses and a plurality of printing apparatuses. In sucha case, information for specifying medium types is held in both aninformation processing apparatus A and a printing apparatus A, forexample. Further, similarly, information for specifying medium types isheld in both an information processing apparatus B and a printingapparatus B.

However, in the case where the printing apparatus connected to theinformation processing apparatus is changed, such as the case where theprinting apparatus B is connected to the information processingapparatus A, information indicating medium types managed with differentmethods is held in the apparatuses. If print processing is performed insuch a case, the medium type to which image processing performed in theinformation processing apparatus corresponds and the medium type towhich control by the printing apparatus corresponds may differ from eachother, due to the medium types in the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus lacking consistency. In this case, processingfor different types of recording media will be performed in the imageprocessing apparatus and the printing apparatus, and thus problems mayarise with the printing results, such as differences in shade andblurring, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentionedproblems with the conventional technology. The present inventionprovides a printing system that enables printing to be appropriatelyperformed according to the type of printing medium in a system includingan information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus, a controlmethod for the printing system, and a storage medium.

The present invention in its first aspect provides a printing systemincluding an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus,the system comprising, an obtaining unit configured to, in a case wherea first identifier that is communicated between the printing apparatusand the information processing apparatus in order to specify a type of aprinting medium that is used in the printing apparatus, and a secondidentifier unique to each of a plurality of types of printing media areset in both the printing apparatus and the information processingapparatus, obtain the second identifier set in each of the informationprocessing apparatus and the printing apparatus; and a determinationunit configured to, based on the second identifier set in theinformation processing apparatus and the second identifier set in theprinting apparatus obtained by the obtaining unit, determine the firstidentifier set in each of the information processing apparatus and theprinting apparatus, such that the types of printing medium correspondingto the first identifier set in the information processing apparatus andthe printing apparatus match, and a different first identifier is setwith respect to a printing medium of a different type.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a control method fora printing system including an information processing apparatus and aprinting apparatus, the method comprising: in a case where a firstidentifier that is communicated between the printing apparatus and theinformation processing apparatus in order to specify a type of aprinting medium that is used in the printing apparatus, and a secondidentifier unique to each of a plurality of types of printing media areset in both the printing apparatus and the information processingapparatus, obtaining the second identifier set in each of theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus; and basedon the second identifier set in the information processing apparatus andthe obtained second identifier set in the printing apparatus,determining the first identifier set in each of the informationprocessing apparatus and the printing apparatus, such that the types ofprinting medium corresponding to the first identifier set in theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus match, and adifferent first identifier is set with respect to a printing medium of adifferent type.

According to the present invention, printing can be performed on anappropriate printing medium in a system including a plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses and a plurality of printingapparatuses, even in the case where a printing apparatus to which aninformation processing apparatus gives a print instruction is changed.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the implementation state of softwarenecessary for medium information update processing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a first medium file and asecond medium file.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an initial state in which aplurality of computers and printers are connected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an overview of a processing procedure forupdating medium information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of processing in S503 shown inFIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the result of an example in whichthe processing in FIG. 6 has been executed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of an example in which theprocessing in FIGS. 5 and 6 has been executed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedhereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood that the following embodiments are not intended tolimit the claims of the present invention, and that not all of thecombinations of the aspects that are described according to thefollowing embodiments are necessarily required with respect to the meansto solve the problems according to the present invention. It should benoted that the same reference numerals are given to the same constituentelements, and a description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Although it isassumed that this system includes a plurality of computers (informationprocessing apparatuses) that give print instructions and a plurality ofprinters (printing apparatuses), FIG. 1 shows a single computer and asingle printer to simplify the description. A printer 120 is connectedto a computer 100 such as a PC as shown in FIG. 1. The computer 100includes a CPU 101, a keyboard 105, a keyboard controller (KBC) 104, adisplay 107, and a display controller (DISPC) 106. Furthermore, thecomputer 100 includes a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an external memory 109, adisk controller (DKC) 108, and a printer controller (PRTC) 110 as shownin FIG. 1. The CPU 101 performs overall control of the units connectedto a system bus 111, and executes various programs. The keyboardcontroller 104 controls input via the keyboard 105, a pointing device(not shown, and the like. The display controller 106 controls display onthe display 107. The RAM 102 functions as a main memory and as a workarea for the CPU 101. The ROM 103 stores an operating system, a programexecuted in the present embodiment, a boot program, variousapplications, a user file, a printer driver, and the like. The diskcontroller 108 controls access to the external memory 109 such as a harddisk or a floppy disk (registered trademark). The printer controller 110is connected to the printer 120 via a network, and controls processingfor communication of data and commands with the printer 120.

The printer 120 includes a print engine 122, a print control unit 121, anonvolatile memory 133, and an operation panel 131, and is connected tothe computer 100 via the network. The nonvolatile memory 133 includes ahard disk (HDD) 128 and an EEPROM 129. The print control unit 121includes a CPU 124, a ROM 125, a RAM 126, an interface controller (I/FC)123, a disk controller (DKC) 127, a panel interface (PI/F) 130, and anengine interface (EI/F) 132. The CPU 124 executes various programs. TheROM 125 stores a program and various data. For example, the program isfor receiving data and commands from the computer 100, and realizingoptimal printing by controlling the print engine 122. The RAM 126temporarily stores various data and various programs. The interfacecontroller 123 is connected to the computer 100 via the network, andcontrols processing for communication of data and commands with thecomputer 100. The hard disk 128 stores a large amount of data such asprint data from the computer 100 and information with regard to theprint data. The EEPROM 129 stores information particular to the printerused when printing is performed, and the like. The disk controller 127controls access to the nonvolatile memory 133. The panel interface 130controls display on the operation panel 131 and input from a user. Theengine interface 132 controls the print engine 122 that realizes optimalprinting by directly controlling hardware. The print engine 122 performsoptimal printing by directly controlling hardware. In the presentembodiment, for example, an ink jet print engine or anelectrophotographic print engine is used as the print engine 122.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the implementation state of softwarenecessary for medium information update processing executed in thepresent embodiment. The computer 100 stores a first medium file 201 forspecifying a print medium on which printing is performed in the printer120 in a first medium file storage region 202. Note that the firstmedium file storage region 202 is set in a nonvolatile memory such asthe ROM 103. Further, the first medium file 201 can include a pluralityof medium information pieces (printing medium information pieces)corresponding to the number of medium types, each piece of mediuminformation including a first identifier and a second identifier.Furthermore, the printer 120 stores a second medium file 203 (secondfile) in a second medium file storage region 204. Note that the secondmedium file storage region 204 is set in a nonvolatile memory such asthe ROM 125. Further, the second medium file 203 can include a pluralityof medium information pieces corresponding to the number of mediumtypes, each piece of medium information including a first identifier anda second identifier.

Here, medium information will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showingan example of the first medium file 201 and the second medium file 203.Although medium information 300 corresponding to only one medium type isshown in FIG. 3 to facilitate description, it is assumed that mediuminformation pieces corresponding to a plurality of types of recordingmedia that can be used in the printer are included in the first mediumfile 201 and the second medium file 203. The medium information 300includes a first identifier 301 and a second identifier 302. The firstidentifier 301 and the second identifier 302 are assigned to eachprinting medium as a pair. In other words, it can be said that the firstidentifier 301 and the second identifier 302 correspond to each other inthe first medium file 201 or the second medium file 203. Furthermore,the medium information 300 includes a medium name 303, a medium typename 304, a medium creator 305, a medium creation date and time 306,medium weight 307, a medium thickness 308, user interface controlinformation 309, and a printing parameter 310, as shown in FIG. 3.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the medium information 300 includes ahead height 311 of the printer 120, a medium suction force 312, motorstrength 313 when feeding a medium, a cut mode 314, borderless printon/off 315, an ink drying time 316, and a maximum amount of ink usage317. Note that the medium files may include an image processingparameter for executing various image processing on data to be printed,such as color processing, smoothing, and edge enhancement.

Information included in the medium files shown in FIG. 3 described aboveis used in the case where a method for creating data to be printed inthe printing apparatus is determined, or the case where variousoperations (such as conveying a print medium, discharging ink, andmoving the head) of the printing apparatus are determined. Accordingly,by reference to the information included in the medium files, imageprocessing according to a medium type corresponding to the mediuminformation can be performed, and various operations of the printingapparatus according to that medium type can be performed.

For example, an image processing parameter corresponding to a mediumtype indicated by the medium information is stored in the medium file.Then, in the computer 100 or the printer 120, image data to be printedsuitable for the medium type can be created by performing imageprocessing such as color correction using that image processingparameter. Further, the conveying speed of the print medium can bedetermined by reference to the medium weight 307, the medium thickness308, and the motor strength 313. Furthermore, the timing at which nextprinting starts after printing of one print medium ends can bedetermined by reference to the ink drying time 316. Further, thedistance between the printhead and the print medium is determined byreference to the head height 311. Furthermore, printing can be performedusing a suitable amount of ink for the medium type by reference to themedium suction force 312 and the maximum amount of ink usage 317.

The first medium file 201 and the second medium file 203 includeinformation such as the medium information 300 for each medium type. Thecomputer 100 assigns the first identifier 301 and the second identifier302 with respect to each of the medium information pieces 300, compilesmedium information pieces corresponding to a plurality of types ofrecording media as one file, and registers that file in the computer 100and the printer 120 (an example of first registration and secondregistration in the present embodiment). Firmware 205 of the printer 120and the printer driver of the computer 100 can manage media using thefirst medium file 201 and the second medium file 203 registered in thismanner.

The first identifier 301 and the second identifier 302 that are includedfor each medium type will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4Aand 4B. The first identifier is an identifier for the computer 100 toidentify medium types registered in the printer 120 so that the mediumtypes do not overlap. For example, in a computer 400 and a printer 402shown in FIG. 4A, if the first identifier is “1”, that first identifieris used to designate the medium type “glossy paper”. Similarly, in acomputer 410 and a printer 412, if the first identifier is “1”, thatfirst identifier is used to designate the medium type “plain paper”. Asshown in FIG. 4A, the relationship between the first identifier and amedium type is determined only in the computer and the printer that forma pair. Accordingly, different medium types may be designated in thecomputers 400 and 410 even if the first identifiers are the same. Forexample, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, even in the case of the samefirst identifier “1”, it corresponds to “glossy paper” in the pair ofthe computer 400 and the printer 402, whereas it corresponds to “plainpaper” in the computer 410 and the printer 412. Note that ordinarily,simplified numbers such as “1” and “2”, for instance, are used for thefirst identifier as shown in FIG. 4A.

On the other hand, the second identifier is an identifier uniquelyassigned to each medium type. As shown in FIG. 4A, a second identifier“AAAA” is given if the medium type is glossy paper, whereas “BBBB” isgiven if it is plain paper. Here, there are cases where the user himselfor herself provides a medium (so-called user medium) supported by aprinter in a completely different printing system and uses that mediumin the printer 402 or 412, rather than only media supported by theprinter 402 or 412. However, even if such a user medium is the same asthe medium that is already supported by the printer 402 or 412 in termsof the type “glossy paper”, for example, that user medium may havedifferent characteristics, such as the ink impregnation amount.Accordingly, if the medium that is already supported by the printer 402or 412 and the user medium are treated as the same type of medium, anappropriate printing result may not be achieved due to the difference inthe characteristics of those recording media. Accordingly, it isnecessary to identify the above medium and the user medium as differentrecording media although the type “glossy paper” is the same.Accordingly, it is necessary to assign the above-described secondidentifier that is uniquely assigned to each medium type to a usermedium. Further, the first identifier can be identified only in the pairof a specific computer and a specific printer, whereas the secondidentifier can be used in common as an identifier for specifying amedium type in any computer or printer in a printing system. However,this second identifier needs to include not only the name of a mediumtype but also the above characteristics such as the ink impregnationamount, and thus ordinarily, the second identifier is not a simplifiedidentifier like the first identifier. Therefore, in normal printprocessing, if an information processing apparatus and a printingapparatus performs communication with use of a second identifier, theamount of data to be transmitted and received will be considerable.Accordingly, when performing printing, the information processingapparatus and the printing apparatus ensure consistency of the type ofmedium used for printing by performing communication with use of a firstidentifier.

If a new user medium is used for printing, a second identifier of theuser medium is added to medium information held in both the informationprocessing apparatus and the printing apparatus, and a first identifierfor that user medium is assigned in the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus.

In the present embodiment, a medium type is specified using both thefirst identifier and the second identifier as described above, and evenif the first identifiers are the same when medium information pieces arecompared, it is not determined that the same medium type is designatedbased on only that fact. That is, even if the first identifiers are thesame, it is determined that different medium types are designated if thesecond identifiers are different. Consequently, consistency ofdesignation of medium types in the medium information pieces can bereliably achieved.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the firmware 205 of the printer 120 controlsthe printer, and manages media using the second medium file 203.Further, the printer driver (not shown) of the computer 100 controls theprinter, and manages media using the first medium file 201. The firstmedium file 201 and the second medium file 203 are registered by thecomputer 100. A medium update program 206 of the computer 100 updateseither the first medium file 201 or the second medium file 203 or bothof the medium files by performing medium information update processingdescribed later. In the present embodiment, consistency of designationof medium types in the medium information pieces can be achieved byperforming the update processing. Note that the medium update program206 is stored in the ROM 103 of the computer 100, and medium informationupdate processing can be performed by the CPU 101 reading out the mediumupdate program from the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing the readprogram. Further, the firmware 205 is stored in the ROM 125, and controlof the printer and management of media can be performed by the CPU 124reading out the firmware into the RAM 126 and executing the readfirmware.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an initial state in which a plurality ofcomputers and a plurality of printers are connected. The computer 400(first information processing apparatus) and the printer 402 (firstprinting apparatus) respectively hold a first medium file 401 and asecond medium file 403 each of which includes a first identifier and asecond identifier. In FIG. 4A, medium information corresponding to onlyone medium type is shown to facilitate description. As shown in FIG. 4A,the first identifier in the first medium file 401 is “1”, and the secondidentifier therein is “AAAA” indicating glossy paper. Further, the firstidentifier in the second medium file 403 is “1”, and the secondidentifier therein is “AAAA” indicating glossy paper. Accordingly, inthe computer 400 and the printer 402, both the first identifiers and thesecond identifiers match, and thus the medium information pieces haveconsistency.

Further, the computer 410 (second information processing apparatus) andthe printer 412 (second printing apparatus) respectively hold a firstmedium file 411 and a second medium file 413 each of which includes afirst identifier and a second identifier. As shown in FIG. 4A, the firstidentifier in the first medium file 411 is “1”, and the secondidentifier therein is “BBBB” indicating plain paper. Further, the firstidentifier in the second medium file 413 is “1”, and the secondidentifier therein is “BBBB” indicating plain paper. Accordingly, in thecomputer 410 and the printer 412 as well, both the first identifiers andthe second identifiers match, and thus the medium information pieceshave consistency.

Here, a printer connected to the computer 400 is switched to the printer412 as shown in FIG. 4B. In that case, the first identifiers of thefirst medium file 401 and the second medium file 413 are “1”, and thusmatch. Conventionally, since the first identifiers match, printing isperformed assuming that the same medium type is designated in the firstmedium file 401 and the second medium file 413. However, as shown inFIG. 4B, actually, the medium type “glossy paper” is designated in thefirst medium file 401, and the medium type “plain paper” is designatedin the second medium file 413. Accordingly, problems may arise with theresult of print processing. In the present embodiment, consistency ofthe first medium file 401 and the second medium file 413 can be achievedfrom the state in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an overview of a processing procedure forupdating medium information in the present embodiment. Note that in thepresent embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown inFIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 103, and the processing shown in FIG. 5 canbe performed by the CPU 101 reading out and executing this program. Theflowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 101 in the case where aprinter connected to the computer 100 is switched to the printer 120, asshown in FIG. 4B. First, in S501, the computer 100 starts the mediumupdate program 206. With regard to the start of the medium updateprogram, the medium update program 206 may be automatically started ifthe computer detects that a connection destination printer has beenchanged, for example. In S502, the medium update program 206 obtains thefirst medium file 201 in the computer 100 and the second medium file 203stored in the printer 120. In S503, with regard to the first medium file201 and the second medium file 203 that have been obtained, firstidentifiers and second identifiers corresponding to medium types arecompared. According to the comparison result, either the first mediumfile 201 or the second medium file 203 or both of the medium files areupdated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in S503 shown inFIG. 5. In S601, the medium update program 206 of the computer 100 firstdetermines, with respect to all the medium information pieces includedin the first medium file 201 and the second medium file 203, whether ornot there are medium information pieces whose second identifiers match.For example, medium information pieces included in the first medium file201 of the computer 100 (hereinafter, referred to as target mediuminformation (first printing medium information)) and medium informationpieces included in the second medium file 203 of the printer 120 (secondprinting medium information) are sequentially compared. In S601, if itis determined that there are medium information pieces whose secondidentifiers match in the first medium file 201 and the second mediumfile 203, the processing proceeds to S602, and if it is determined thatthere are not such medium information pieces, the processing proceeds toS605.

In S602, it is determined whether or not there are medium informationpieces whose second identifiers match but whose first identifiers do notmatch. Here, if the determination result is “No”, it is determined thatcommon first identifiers are given to media whose type is the same(medium types whose second identifiers match) in the first medium file201 and the second medium file 203, and the processing proceeds to S605.

On the other hand, if the determination result is “Yes” in S602, it isdetermined that different first identifiers are given to media whosetype is the same (medium types whose second identifiers match) in thefirst medium file and the second medium file, and the processingproceeds to S603. Then, in S603, the first identifier of the mediuminformation whose second identifier matches in the second medium file203 is assigned to the first identifier of the target medium informationin the first medium file 201. In S604, the first medium file 201 storedin the first medium file storage region 202 is overwritten with thefirst medium file 201 on which assignment was performed in S603, andupdated. Accordingly, common first identifiers can be given to the mediawhose type is the same (medium types whose second identifiers match).When this update processing ends, the processing proceeds to S605.

In S605, it is determined whether or not there is any medium informationwhose first identifier matches but whose second identifier does notmatch in the second medium file 203. Here, if the determination resultis “Yes”, the processing proceeds to S606, whereas if the determinationresult is “No”, the processing proceeds to S608.

In S606, a new identifier that is not used in the first medium file 201and the second medium file 203 is assigned to the first identifier ofthe target medium information in the first medium file. In S607, thefirst identifier stored in the first medium file storage region 202 isoverwritten with the first identifier that was assigned to the targetmedium information in S606, and updated. In addition, in S607, thetarget medium information to which the above-unused new first identifierhas been given is added to the second medium file 203. Thus, the mediuminformation registered in the computer 100 can be added to the printer120 by adding the target medium information to the second medium file203, thereby updating the second medium file 203. In S607, thisprocessing ends when the second medium file 203 stored in the secondmedium file storage region 204 is updated.

In the case where there are media whose second identifiers match in thecomputer 100 and the printer 120, in S608, by performing the processingin S601 to S604 described above, the first identifier particular to themedium is given in the medium information pieces of the computer 100 andthe printer 120, and thus the first identifiers match in the computer1000 and the printer 120. Further, if there are media whose secondidentifiers do not match in the computer 100 and the printer 120 as aresult of the determination in S605, first identifiers respectivelycorresponding only to those second identifiers have been given.Therefore, it is not necessary to update the first identifier here. Thesecond medium file 203 stored in the second medium file storage region204 is updated by adding the target medium information in the firstmedium file to the second medium file 203, and this processing ends.Further, in the present embodiment, in S608, medium information in thesecond medium file 203 compared to the target medium information may beadded to the first medium file 201.

The case where the processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed in the stateof FIG. 4B will now be described as an example. Here, it is assumed thatthe first medium file 401 includes only medium information (the firstidentifier is “1” and the second identifier is “AAAA”) and the secondmedium file 413 includes only medium information (the first identifieris “1” and the second identifier is “BBBB”).

First, target medium information is the medium information included inthe first medium file 401 (the first identifier is “1” and the secondidentifier is “AAAA”). In S601, it is determined that the second mediumfile 413 has no medium information having the second identifier thatmatches the second identifier “AAAA” of the target medium information.Accordingly, the processing proceeds to S605. In S605, it is determinedthat the second medium file 413 has medium information having the firstidentifier that matches the first identifier “1” of the target mediuminformation but that the second identifiers do not match. Accordingly,the processing proceeds to S606. In S606, a new identifier that is notused in the first medium file 401 and the second medium file 413 isassigned to the first identifier of the target medium information. Inthis example, for example, “2” is assigned to the first identifier ofthe target medium information. Further, in S607, the target mediuminformation to which the unused new first identifier has been given isadded to the second medium file 413.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the result of having executed theprocessing in FIG. 6 in this example. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, thefirst identifier is “2” in the first medium file 401. The secondidentifier is the same as that in the first medium file 401 shown inFIG. 4B. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the medium information in thefirst medium file 401 (the first identifier is “2” and the secondidentifier is “AAAA”) has been newly added to the second medium file413.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 4B, from the state where the same firstidentifier is given to different medium types, and thus mediuminformation pieces do not have consistency, consistency of mediuminformation pieces can be achieved as shown in FIG. 7A by performing theprocessing in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Next, from the state in FIG. 7A, the printer connected to the computer400 is again switched to the printer 402 as shown in FIG. 7B. Here aswell, it is assumed that the first medium file 401 includes only mediuminformation (the first identifier is “2” and the second identifier is“AAAA”), and the second medium file 403 includes only medium information(the first identifier is “1” and the second identifier is “AAAA”). Inthat case, in the first medium file 401 and the second medium file 403,different first identifiers have been given to the same medium type, andthus the medium information pieces do not have consistency. In theexample shown in FIG. 7B, even though the medium type is glossy paperand actually the same but the first identifiers are different, and thusthe computer 400 will determine that different medium types aredesignated.

In this example, if the printer connected to the computer 400 isswitched to the printer 402 as shown in FIG. 7B, the computer 400 startsthe medium update program 206 in S501 shown in FIG. 5. In S502, themedium update program 206 obtains the first medium file 401 and thesecond medium file 403. In S503, the first identifiers and the secondidentifiers in the first medium file 401 and the second medium file 403that have been obtained are compared, and either the first medium files401 or the second medium files 403 or both of the medium files areupdated.

The processing in S503 in this example is described with reference toFIG. 6. Target medium information is the medium information (the firstidentifier is “2” and the second identifier is “AAAA”) in the firstmedium file 401. In S601, it is determined that medium information whosesecond identifier matches the second identifier of the target mediuminformation is in the second medium file 403, and thus the processingproceeds to S602. Next, in S602, it is determined that the secondidentifier matches that in the second medium file but that the firstidentifiers do not match in the medium information pieces (here, thesecond identifiers are “AAAA”), and thus the processing proceeds toS603. In S603, the first identifier “2” in the first medium file 401 ischanged to the first identifier “1” in the second medium file 403. Next,in S604, the first medium file stored in the first medium file storageregion 202 is overwritten with the first medium file 401, and updated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state in the case where the processingin FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 has been executed in this example. As shown in FIG.8, the first medium file 401 and the second medium file 403 haveconsistency since the first identifiers and the second identifiersmatch.

Note that in the example shown in FIG. 8, the second identifiers alsomatch in the medium information pieces whose first identifiers matchafter processing for updating the first medium file is performed inS604, and thus the processing proceeds to S608 after the determinationin S605. Note that since the first medium file does not include mediuminformation to be added to the second medium file, the processing endswithout performing processing for updating the second medium file inS608.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case of theconfiguration in which a plurality of computers and a plurality ofprinters are connected, identifiers held in medium information piecesare dynamically reassigned, thereby preventing inconsistency ofdesignation of medium types in the medium information pieces of thecomputers and the printers. Consequently, the user can be provided withan appropriate printing result.

Note that in the above embodiment, processing is performed in which thefirst identifiers and the second identifiers are obtained, and the firstidentifier that does not have consistency is updated such thatconsistency of information pieces for specifying the medium type isachieved in the computer 100 and the printer 120. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the case where the first identifier thatdoes not have consistency is updated. That is, regardless of whether thefirst identifier has consistency at the point in time of executingprocessing, all the first identifiers set in the computer 100 and theprinter 120 may be newly set. In this case, it is sufficient if thesecond identifiers set in the computer 100 and the printer 120 areobtained and the first identifiers are determined, and thus whenprocessing for determining the first identifiers is performed, it is notnecessary to obtain the first identifiers set in the computer 100 andthe printer 120 at that point in time.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described inwhich the CPU of the computer 100 updates medium information byperforming the processing shown in the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 and 6.However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the aboveupdate processing may be executed in the printer 120. In that case, theprogram corresponding to the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 and 6 is stored inthe ROM 125, and processing in the present embodiment can be realized bythe CPU 124 reading out this program.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the case whereprocessing in the present embodiment is performed in either one of thecomputer 100 and the printer 120, and may be applied to the case wherethe CPUs respectively included cooperatively perform processing.Moreover, even in the case where processing is performed in either thecomputer 100 or the printer 120, the present invention is not limited tothe case where one processor performs processing, and a plurality ofprocessors may cooperatively perform processing.

Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to the case whereprocessing in the present embodiment such as processing for determiningfirst identifiers set in the computer 100 and the printer 120 andprocessing for updating medium information of each apparatus may beexecuted in an apparatus other than the computer 100 and the printer120.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment, and by a method, the steps of whichare performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example,reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device toperform the functions of the above-described embodiment. For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2009-293206, filed Dec. 24, 2009, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: an obtaining unit configuredto, in a case where a first identifier that is communicated between aprinting apparatus and an information processing apparatus in order tospecify a type of a printing medium that is used in the printingapparatus, and a second identifier unique to each of a plurality oftypes of printing medium are set in both the printing apparatus and theinformation processing apparatus, obtain the first identifier and thesecond identifier set in each of the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus; a determination unit configured to determinewhether different first identifiers are set with respect to a type ofprinting medium which is common in the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus, based on the first identifier and the secondidentifier obtained by the obtaining unit; and a changing unitconfigured to, in a case where it is determined by the determining unitthat the different first identifiers are set, change the firstidentifier set in at least one of the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus, such that a common first identifier is setwith respect to the type of printing medium which is common in theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus.
 2. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein in a case where a combination ofthe information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus ischanged, the determination unit executes the determination to the newcombination.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device isthe information processing apparatus.
 4. The device according to claim 3wherein the information processing apparatus changes the firstidentifier set in the information processing apparatus by the changingunit, and does not change the first identifier set in the printingapparatus.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein both theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus haveinformation for performing processing for printing an image according toa type of printing medium corresponding to the second identifier, andexecute the processing for printing the image in accordance with theinformation.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein if there is asecond identifier that is only set either in the information processingapparatus or in the printing apparatus, the apparatus in which thesecond identifier is not set is caused to store information forperforming processing for printing an image according to the type ofprinting medium corresponding to the second identifier.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a file including the first identifier andthe second identifier is stored in each of the information processingapparatus and the printing apparatus, and the obtaining unit obtains thefile stored in each of the information processing apparatus and theprinting apparatus from each of the information processing apparatus andthe printing apparatus.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein thedetermination unit executes the determination, by comparing the filesobtained by the obtaining unit from the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus.
 9. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe device is the printing apparatus.
 10. A control method comprising:in a case where a first identifier that is communicated between aprinting apparatus and an information processing apparatus in order tospecify a type of printing medium that is used in the printingapparatus, and a second identifier unique to each of a plurality oftypes of printing medium are set in both the printing apparatus and theinformation processing apparatus, obtaining the first identifier and thesecond identifier set in each of the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus; and determining whether different firstidentifiers are set with respect to a printing medium of a common typein the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus,based on the obtained first identifier and second identifier; and in acase where it is determined that the different first identifiers are setwith respect to a type of printing medium which is common in theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, changingthe first identifier set in at least one of the information processingapparatus and the printing apparatus, such that a common firstidentifier is set with respect to the type of printing medium which iscommon in the information processing apparatus and the printingapparatus.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein in a case wherea combination of the information processing apparatus and the printingapparatus is changed, the determination is executed to the newcombination.
 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein each stepdefined in claim 9 is executed in the information processing apparatus.13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first identifier setin the information processing apparatus is changed, and the firstidentifier set in the printing apparatus is not changed.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein both the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus have information for performing processingfor printing an image according to a type of printing mediumcorresponding to the second identifier, and further comprising:executing the processing for printing the image in accordance with theinformation.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein if there is asecond identifier that is only set either in the information processingapparatus or in the printing apparatus, and further comprising: causingthe apparatus in which the second identifier is not set to storeinformation for performing processing for printing an image according tothe type of printing medium corresponding to the second identifier. 16.The method according to claim 10, wherein a file including the firstidentifier and the second identifier is stored in each of theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus, and furthercomprising: obtaining the file stored in each of the informationprocessing apparatus and the printing apparatus from each of theinformation processing apparatus and the printing apparatus.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16, wherein the determination is executed bycomparing the files obtained from the information processing apparatusand the printing apparatus.
 18. The method according to claim 10,wherein each step defined in claim 9 is executed in the informationprocessing apparatus.
 19. A non-transitory storage medium storingtherein a program for causing a computer to execute the control methodaccording to claim 10.